Real Madrid against Barcelona

Real free-kick on the edge of the Barca box. Surely the last act of the game.

Match is very much winding down, little to no purpose or urgency from either side.

Real clearly happy to limit the damage and avoid conceding another. Barca happy with the scoreline and won't force another goal, either.

3 minutes stoppage time - not quite sure where that's come from.

There'll surely be very little stoppage time.

Free-kick to Barca near the corner spot, now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Iniesta off, Pedro on.

Iniesta really taking advantage of Real's uncertainty. Clearly enjoying the game and almost creates another goal before Pepe clears.

Khedira blocks another goalbound effort! Close again!

Barca had a great chance to score again and Villa, instead of going for goal himself, plays a poor pass that goes to no-one and Real collect.

Poor again from Villa!

Real somehow prevent another goal! Desperate defending, throwing themselves in front of the ball.

Barca break again but Villa loses the ball with his first touch.

Puyol eventually clears for a Real throw-in.

Valdes lucky with the save! Dives to his right and somehow manages to turn the ball around the left post. Corner to Real.

Kaka goes close for Real!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Villa on, Sanchez off (what a luxury that is)

Iniesta again breaks but Real have the ball again. Real looking somewhat sloppy and disorganised.

Iniesta with a superb piece of skill. Passed to Sanchez when he perhaps should have shot - could have been a great goal.

Barca again spreading the ball with ease. The onus is obviously on possession and running the clock down.

Keita's arrival another clear sign that Guardiola simply wants Barca to not take any unnecessary risks and keep the scoreline as it is.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fabregas off, Keita on.

Barcelona are clearly happy to maintain the score as it is. Not trying to capitalise on the added space they're getting now.

Benzema waste a very good chance for Real, curling wide when he should have passed to Higuain. Poor from him.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Barca score again - they're suddenly getting a lot more space.

Iniesta showigng some superb skill before the free-kick was awarded. Barca now comfortable and happy to take their time.

And another Barca free-kick.

The growing tension is obvious.

Barca free-kick.

But Alves wastes the move with a poor pass. Real escape.

Barca now playing the ball superbly. Breaking for another attack - it's three on three

That's a sight you'll rarely see: Mourinho looking as though he has nothing to say.

Further evidence of why Messi is superior to Ronaldo.

Can't help but feel Mourinho and Real deserve better - they're an outstanding side but how do you compete with Barcelona?

Barca suddenly looking very comfortable.

Barca break superbly and with such speed, a great move that ends with Fabregas diving low for his side's third. How Ronaldo will regret his miss.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Real 1-3 Barca</b>

Xabi Alonso curls a masterful cross into the box, and Ronaldo has plenty of time and space to score with the header but he can't even get it on target. Don't expect to see hi get a better chance than that.

Absolutely terrible!

A terrible miss from Ronaldo, what a chance!

Messi curls it just wide! Bent the ball round Real's wall, but it's just outside the post.

Pepe deserved the booking for a rash challenge that was never going to win him the ball. Shooting range for Barca.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Diarra off, Khedira on.

Pepe booked <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15">

Messi puts Sanchez through who does really well to get his shot on target, but Casillas saves well!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Diarra booked

Diarra fouls Iniesta - more of a rugby tackle than a football one.

Kaka breaks down the left but finds himself isolated. Ronaldo's support poor as the winger sends in a poor cross. Ronaldo very underwhelming so far tonight.

Fabregas fires wide from a great position but he's well offside.

Mourinho clearly looking for the equaliser. And why not? Currently losing so why not go for it.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ozil off, Kaka on

Great tackle from Ramos now at the other end!

Abidal caught again in possession but recovers by intercepting Ronaldo's through ball to Benzema. A great recovery, that was a certain goal if that had gone through.

Di Maria wonderful when dribbling, changes direction with such ease. Real's dangerman so far tonight.

Benzema wins Real a corner.

Surprising to see it when Valdes is normally such a fantastic sweeper, and so composed.

Valdes almost gives the ball away again, rescued by Alves!

Xavi with the effort from outside the area that deflects off of Marcelo and beyond Casillas. A wicked deflection, if ever there was one.

Another freak goal1

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Real 1-2 Barca!

A superb tackle by Coentrao on Iniesta with the Spaniard working his way into a shooting position.

Barca now exchaning possession comfortably and probing for an opening.

Has done very well tonight, he's very unlucky not to play more regularly.

Diarra with a superb tackle on Messi.

This time he gets in on target, but Valdes saves well. Good save because the conditions are very wet and the danger is certainly there for some spillages.

But fires it straight at the wall. Alves then fouls Pepe in a similar area. Ronaldo likely to shoot again.

Ronaldo standing over the ball...

An obvious foul on the edge of the Barca box. Shooting chance for Real.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Pique booked

Iniesta tackled by Coentrao when running with purpose towards the Real goal.

Wouldn't be a surprise to see a red card somewhere in this half. Messi, in particular, needs to calm down.

<b>Second-half now under way</b>. What will the second half bring?

Personally find it difficult to look beyond a Barca victory. They grew into the game as the half progressed, and were clinical with the one real chance they had. I can't see them not making at least one more chance, it'll be very hard for Real to maintain such an intensity throughout the game.

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<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1210/barcelonagoal20111210_275x155.jpg"><br>Sanchez equalises for Barca

Surprised to see Fabregas so anonymous tonight, given the superb form he's been in so far this season.

What are your thoughts on the game? Tweet them to @ESPNsoccernet

An exciting half. A personal opinion is that Barca will still win. So much quality in their side, even more so than Real, and it's hard not to imagine Coentrao or Marcelo - or another - switching off for just a moment and leaving just enough space or time for Barca to score another.

The one minute of stoppage time is over and it's half-time...

Sanchez tackled by Coentrao. Barca with enough time for another attack, of course.

He even went for his pocket before changing his mind.

That's controversial! Messi with a bad challenge that probably deserved a yellow card but the referee refused to book him because it would have meant the star man going off.

Xabi Alonso with some superb passing again. Effortlessly spreading the ball across midfield. Ronaldo may be Real's most talented player, but there's no doubt Alonso is every bit as important.

Well defended from Barca with Real playing on the counter. Throw-in to Real after Abidal's challenge.

Constant danger posed by Messi. Not even at his best tonight but clearly the world's best player.

Messi tries the through-ball for Sanchez again but it's intercepted.

Benzema working hard for his team, tracking back and making the challenge on Alves.

Passing the ball around with some admirable one-touch football.

Real now with their own brand of 'tiki-taka'.

It must be said that Sanchez overreacted from the challenge. Unsurprisingly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Messi booked for dissent.

Barca recover the ball and launch an attack which is stopped when Sanchez is fouled.

Abidal giving the ball away when he should have passed to Iniesta.

Alves with a nasty challenge on Alonso. Free-kick to Real, and Alves fortunate not to have been booked.

Barca with the throw-in, then.

This was the obvious concern for Real - Barca have several players with such outstanding talent that even pressing for 90 minutes cannot prevent a moment of brilliance from someone like Messi.

Barca in possession again, and clearly lifted.

A superb goal with the assist from Messi. Good run and pass by the Argentinian, who plays in Sanchez who, in turn, finishes very neatly despite being surrounded by two Real defenders. A very cool finish.

<b>Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Barca equalise!

Dani Alves is now on the floor. A blatant overreaction after Marcelo accidentally hit him - not hard - in the face with his arm.

Until Puyol dispossesses Ronaldo, that is.

Real on the attack again...

Real free-kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sanchez booked.

Di Maria now rolling around on the floor in pain following Sanchez's challenge.

Messi fouled again by Alonso. Unsurprising to see these tactics on display. Real have to make sure they don't get anyone sent off, however.

Benzema cuts the ball back for Ronaldo just inside the penalty area and Ronaldo has a lot of time and space, and could have passed to Di Maria, but instead shot and curled it well off target. A really poor effort from a man considered by many to be the world's best.

Could have been two!

Not sure that giving both Fabregas and Messi such freedom - at the same time - suits Barca tonight. They're lacking some shape which usually isn't an issue for them, but it is at times tonight.

Xavi shoots but Casillas tips the ball over. Barca's resultant corner is wasted as it curls beyond the box and out for a goal-kick.

Barca with a free-kick on the edge of Real's area.

Genuine belief and urgency from Real so far.

Ramos fouls Sanchez. Free-kick to Barca.

Iniesta attempts a through-ball on the edge of the area but Coentrao blocks successfully. Barca now with the ball back in defence.

Casillas with the ball again. No pressing from Barca.

Messi is again crowded and dispossessed. Barca finding it difficult to build any real rhythm.

Ramos sends the ball long looking for Ronaldo, unsurprisingly, but Barca collect

Now a Real free-kick after Sanchez's handball.

Barca free-kick near the halfway line after Ozil's foul.

Barca free-kick near the halfway line after Ozil's foul.

Casillas with the goal-kick, then.

Throw-in to Barca after Marcelo's challenge.

Real's pressing sees Ozil dispossess Abidal. Barca escape with a throw-in.

Real take the throw-in and return the ball to Barca, after Busquets had knocked the ball out to allow Di Maria to receive some treatment.

Di Maria down after pressing for the ball. Seemed to sleep a perhaps twist his ankle or knee and is now getting treatment.

Valdes with another poor clearance which Alonso tries to capitalise upon with a chip, but it's unthreatening and comes to nothing.

Messi gives the ball away on the edge of Real's area (how many times can you say that?), Barca now have the ball in defence again.

Messi fouled by Alonso. Free-kick.

Di Maria's cross is headed by Benzema but Valdes saves well. A very nice cross. Real now looking comfortable with Barca still somewhat unsettled.

Abidal horribly slices his clearance to gift Real a throw-in.

Free-kick to Real now after a foul by Xavi. Real already taking their time.

Real manage to break but Di Maria wastes the move with a poorly executed pass that Valdes collects.

It's not a great delivery and Ronaldo clears

Messi to take the free-kick, near the corner spot.

And the first foul goes in! Coentrao flies into Sanchez and it'll be a Barca free-kick.

What a save from Casillas! Messi capitalises on a slip from Ramos to take the ball, run and shoot. Very close, an important save indeed.

Real now exchanging possession, patiently.

Barca look to attack but Fabregas' through-ball isn't good enough and Casillas collects.

Ball now back with Pique n Barca'a defence as they look to rebuild and recover.

Barca clearly nervous at the start. Mourinho has really fired Real up because they're pressing with great intensity all over the pitch.

Game could get very interesting now, because Real were always going to try to stop Barca playing and probably would have been happy with a draw, and they now need not attack at all.

An absolutely shocking error from Victor Valdes with a miss-kick that eventually ends with the ball with Benzema, who fires Real in front. A dream start for Real.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Real score! Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona</b> Benzema with the goal.

Game kicks off, Real instantly look to press Barca.

A warm looking hand shake is exchange between Guardiola and Mourinho. Kick-off is imminent.

Has a single football pitch ever had so many talents on it at any one time? Pedro, Mascherano, Thiago Alcantara, Villa, Higuain and Kaka all on the bench. And more.

There's been some suggestion that Diarra is playing at right-back, but to clear that up it appears he's in midfield, and Coentrao's at the back.

Less then 15 minutes now until kick-off.

Diarra is a surprise inclusion - an obvious attempt to stop Barca playing - and Khedira is ommitted. Coentrao at right-back, too, which is another surprise.

For Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, it seems Karim Benzema - perhaps surprisingly - is the first choice striker over Gonzalo Higuain.

It's an interesting insight into what Pep Guardiola considers his strongest side to be.

Barcelona line-up: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Alexis Sanchez, Fabregas, Messi

Real Madrid line-up: Casillas, Diarra, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Ozil, Coentrao, Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo

This is potentially the most crucial game of the season. Failure to win on Barca's part would mean it's highly unlikely they'll be able to win the Spanish title.

The team news is in for the biggest (is there any other kind?) El Clasico in years.

Good evening everyone

Want to know who to back in Spain? Eduardo Alvarez has <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/994207/espnsoccernet-la-liga-quiniela---week-13---el-clasico?cc=5739" target="_blank">the week's Quiniela.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1209/josemourinhopresser_275x155.jpg">Mourinho's men have started well.

Join us at 2100 GMT for one of the biggest games of the year - Barcelona v Real Madrid.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Villa on, Sanchez off (what a luxury that is)

Iniesta again breaks but Real have the ball again. Real looking somewhat sloppy and disorganised.

Iniesta with a superb piece of skill. Passed to Sanchez when he perhaps should have shot - could have been a great goal.

Barca again spreading the ball with ease. The onus is obviously on possession and running the clock down.

Keita's arrival another clear sign that Guardiola simply wants Barca to not take any unnecessary risks and keep the scoreline as it is.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fabregas off, Keita on.

Barcelona are clearly happy to maintain the score as it is. Not trying to capitalise on the added space they're getting now.

Benzema waste a very good chance for Real, curling wide when he should have passed to Higuain. Poor from him.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Barca score again - they're suddenly getting a lot more space.

Iniesta showigng some superb skill before the free-kick was awarded. Barca now comfortable and happy to take their time.

And another Barca free-kick.

The growing tension is obvious.

Barca free-kick.

But Alves wastes the move with a poor pass. Real escape.

Barca now playing the ball superbly. Breaking for another attack - it's three on three

That's a sight you'll rarely see: Mourinho looking as though he has nothing to say.

Further evidence of why Messi is superior to Ronaldo.

Can't help but feel Mourinho and Real deserve better - they're an outstanding side but how do you compete with Barcelona?

Barca suddenly looking very comfortable.

Barca break superbly and with such speed, a great move that ends with Fabregas diving low for his side's third. How Ronaldo will regret his miss.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Real 1-3 Barca</b>

Xabi Alonso curls a masterful cross into the box, and Ronaldo has plenty of time and space to score with the header but he can't even get it on target. Don't expect to see hi get a better chance than that.

Absolutely terrible!

A terrible miss from Ronaldo, what a chance!

Messi curls it just wide! Bent the ball round Real's wall, but it's just outside the post.

Pepe deserved the booking for a rash challenge that was never going to win him the ball. Shooting range for Barca.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Diarra off, Khedira on.

Pepe booked <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15">

Messi puts Sanchez through who does really well to get his shot on target, but Casillas saves well!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Diarra booked

Diarra fouls Iniesta - more of a rugby tackle than a football one.

Kaka breaks down the left but finds himself isolated. Ronaldo's support poor as the winger sends in a poor cross. Ronaldo very underwhelming so far tonight.

Fabregas fires wide from a great position but he's well offside.

Mourinho clearly looking for the equaliser. And why not? Currently losing so why not go for it.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ozil off, Kaka on

Great tackle from Ramos now at the other end!

Abidal caught again in possession but recovers by intercepting Ronaldo's through ball to Benzema. A great recovery, that was a certain goal if that had gone through.

Di Maria wonderful when dribbling, changes direction with such ease. Real's dangerman so far tonight.

Benzema wins Real a corner.

Surprising to see it when Valdes is normally such a fantastic sweeper, and so composed.

Valdes almost gives the ball away again, rescued by Alves!

Xavi with the effort from outside the area that deflects off of Marcelo and beyond Casillas. A wicked deflection, if ever there was one.

Another freak goal1

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Real 1-2 Barca!

A superb tackle by Coentrao on Iniesta with the Spaniard working his way into a shooting position.

Barca now exchaning possession comfortably and probing for an opening.

Has done very well tonight, he's very unlucky not to play more regularly.

Diarra with a superb tackle on Messi.

This time he gets in on target, but Valdes saves well. Good save because the conditions are very wet and the danger is certainly there for some spillages.

But fires it straight at the wall. Alves then fouls Pepe in a similar area. Ronaldo likely to shoot again.

Ronaldo standing over the ball...

An obvious foul on the edge of the Barca box. Shooting chance for Real.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Pique booked

Iniesta tackled by Coentrao when running with purpose towards the Real goal.

Wouldn't be a surprise to see a red card somewhere in this half. Messi, in particular, needs to calm down.

<b>Second-half now under way</b>. What will the second half bring?

Personally find it difficult to look beyond a Barca victory. They grew into the game as the half progressed, and were clinical with the one real chance they had. I can't see them not making at least one more chance, it'll be very hard for Real to maintain such an intensity throughout the game.

<i>Catch action from every Barclays Premier League match on your mobile for <b>FREE</b> on the enhanced <a href="/news/story/_/id/941526/enhanced-espn-premier-league-goals-app---now-free">ESPN Goals</a> app (UK only). </i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1210/barcelonagoal20111210_275x155.jpg"><br>Sanchez equalises for Barca

Surprised to see Fabregas so anonymous tonight, given the superb form he's been in so far this season.

What are your thoughts on the game? Tweet them to @ESPNsoccernet

An exciting half. A personal opinion is that Barca will still win. So much quality in their side, even more so than Real, and it's hard not to imagine Coentrao or Marcelo - or another - switching off for just a moment and leaving just enough space or time for Barca to score another.

The one minute of stoppage time is over and it's half-time...

Sanchez tackled by Coentrao. Barca with enough time for another attack, of course.

He even went for his pocket before changing his mind.

That's controversial! Messi with a bad challenge that probably deserved a yellow card but the referee refused to book him because it would have meant the star man going off.

Xabi Alonso with some superb passing again. Effortlessly spreading the ball across midfield. Ronaldo may be Real's most talented player, but there's no doubt Alonso is every bit as important.

Well defended from Barca with Real playing on the counter. Throw-in to Real after Abidal's challenge.

Constant danger posed by Messi. Not even at his best tonight but clearly the world's best player.

Messi tries the through-ball for Sanchez again but it's intercepted.

Benzema working hard for his team, tracking back and making the challenge on Alves.

Passing the ball around with some admirable one-touch football.

Real now with their own brand of 'tiki-taka'.

It must be said that Sanchez overreacted from the challenge. Unsurprisingly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Messi booked for dissent.

Barca recover the ball and launch an attack which is stopped when Sanchez is fouled.

Abidal giving the ball away when he should have passed to Iniesta.

Alves with a nasty challenge on Alonso. Free-kick to Real, and Alves fortunate not to have been booked.

Barca with the throw-in, then.

This was the obvious concern for Real - Barca have several players with such outstanding talent that even pressing for 90 minutes cannot prevent a moment of brilliance from someone like Messi.

Barca in possession again, and clearly lifted.

A superb goal with the assist from Messi. Good run and pass by the Argentinian, who plays in Sanchez who, in turn, finishes very neatly despite being surrounded by two Real defenders. A very cool finish.

<b>Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Barca equalise!

Dani Alves is now on the floor. A blatant overreaction after Marcelo accidentally hit him - not hard - in the face with his arm.

Until Puyol dispossesses Ronaldo, that is.

Real on the attack again...

Real free-kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sanchez booked.

Di Maria now rolling around on the floor in pain following Sanchez's challenge.

Messi fouled again by Alonso. Unsurprising to see these tactics on display. Real have to make sure they don't get anyone sent off, however.

Benzema cuts the ball back for Ronaldo just inside the penalty area and Ronaldo has a lot of time and space, and could have passed to Di Maria, but instead shot and curled it well off target. A really poor effort from a man considered by many to be the world's best.

Could have been two!

Not sure that giving both Fabregas and Messi such freedom - at the same time - suits Barca tonight. They're lacking some shape which usually isn't an issue for them, but it is at times tonight.

Xavi shoots but Casillas tips the ball over. Barca's resultant corner is wasted as it curls beyond the box and out for a goal-kick.

Barca with a free-kick on the edge of Real's area.

Genuine belief and urgency from Real so far.

Ramos fouls Sanchez. Free-kick to Barca.

Iniesta attempts a through-ball on the edge of the area but Coentrao blocks successfully. Barca now with the ball back in defence.

Casillas with the ball again. No pressing from Barca.

Messi is again crowded and dispossessed. Barca finding it difficult to build any real rhythm.

Ramos sends the ball long looking for Ronaldo, unsurprisingly, but Barca collect

Now a Real free-kick after Sanchez's handball.

Barca free-kick near the halfway line after Ozil's foul.

Barca free-kick near the halfway line after Ozil's foul.

Casillas with the goal-kick, then.

Throw-in to Barca after Marcelo's challenge.

Real's pressing sees Ozil dispossess Abidal. Barca escape with a throw-in.

Real take the throw-in and return the ball to Barca, after Busquets had knocked the ball out to allow Di Maria to receive some treatment.

Di Maria down after pressing for the ball. Seemed to sleep a perhaps twist his ankle or knee and is now getting treatment.

Valdes with another poor clearance which Alonso tries to capitalise upon with a chip, but it's unthreatening and comes to nothing.

Messi gives the ball away on the edge of Real's area (how many times can you say that?), Barca now have the ball in defence again.

Messi fouled by Alonso. Free-kick.

Di Maria's cross is headed by Benzema but Valdes saves well. A very nice cross. Real now looking comfortable with Barca still somewhat unsettled.

Abidal horribly slices his clearance to gift Real a throw-in.

Free-kick to Real now after a foul by Xavi. Real already taking their time.

Real manage to break but Di Maria wastes the move with a poorly executed pass that Valdes collects.

It's not a great delivery and Ronaldo clears

Messi to take the free-kick, near the corner spot.

And the first foul goes in! Coentrao flies into Sanchez and it'll be a Barca free-kick.

What a save from Casillas! Messi capitalises on a slip from Ramos to take the ball, run and shoot. Very close, an important save indeed.

Real now exchanging possession, patiently.

Barca look to attack but Fabregas' through-ball isn't good enough and Casillas collects.

Ball now back with Pique n Barca'a defence as they look to rebuild and recover.

Barca clearly nervous at the start. Mourinho has really fired Real up because they're pressing with great intensity all over the pitch.

Game could get very interesting now, because Real were always going to try to stop Barca playing and probably would have been happy with a draw, and they now need not attack at all.

An absolutely shocking error from Victor Valdes with a miss-kick that eventually ends with the ball with Benzema, who fires Real in front. A dream start for Real.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Real score! Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona</b> Benzema with the goal.

Game kicks off, Real instantly look to press Barca.

A warm looking hand shake is exchange between Guardiola and Mourinho. Kick-off is imminent.

Has a single football pitch ever had so many talents on it at any one time? Pedro, Mascherano, Thiago Alcantara, Villa, Higuain and Kaka all on the bench. And more.

There's been some suggestion that Diarra is playing at right-back, but to clear that up it appears he's in midfield, and Coentrao's at the back.

Less then 15 minutes now until kick-off.

Diarra is a surprise inclusion - an obvious attempt to stop Barca playing - and Khedira is ommitted. Coentrao at right-back, too, which is another surprise.

For Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, it seems Karim Benzema - perhaps surprisingly - is the first choice striker over Gonzalo Higuain.

It's an interesting insight into what Pep Guardiola considers his strongest side to be.

Barcelona line-up: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Alexis Sanchez, Fabregas, Messi

Real Madrid line-up: Casillas, Diarra, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Ozil, Coentrao, Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo

This is potentially the most crucial game of the season. Failure to win on Barca's part would mean it's highly unlikely they'll be able to win the Spanish title.

The team news is in for the biggest (is there any other kind?) El Clasico in years.

Good evening everyone

Want to know who to back in Spain? Eduardo Alvarez has <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/994207/espnsoccernet-la-liga-quiniela---week-13---el-clasico?cc=5739" target="_blank">the week's Quiniela.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1209/josemourinhopresser_275x155.jpg">Mourinho's men have started well.

Join us at 2100 GMT for one of the biggest games of the year - Barcelona v Real Madrid.